My most recommended sight for compound bows are going to be the IQ Micro Bowsight sight. This sight makes use of retina lock technology which makes it more accurate than most of the other sights.
Some of you may want to upgrade your existing compound bow with a better sight or your compound bow did not come with a bow sight at all. The fact of the matter is that you cannot hunt without a bow sight.
There are several types of bow sights available in the market today, but for this article, I am going to focus only on multi-pin sight and not on single pin sight.
I am going to write a seperate article on single pin sight because the single pin bow sight deserves to be in a seperate post. There are so many different types of bow sight available that it can be hard to keep up with them all.
In this review, I am going to cover 9 of the best compound bow sights for hunting. I will go over bow sights that are horizontal and vertically aligned. I will also go over some aspects that will affect your accuracy, and we will also focus on how you can adjust these bow sight.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
How to Choose the Right Compound Bow Sight (Beginners Guide)
Choosing the right bow sight for your compound bow does not need to be that complicated once you know what to look for. There are not many differences between the bow sights especially those from Trophy Ridge.
If you are new to bow sight in general and this is the first time that you will ever buy a bow sight online, then this guide is for you. In this guide, I will go through the 4 essential aspects that I thought was important. I am going to go through the orientation, the pins, the accuracy and also the adjustments that are important.
Let’s start with the orientation.
1. Why the orientation is so important
Some hunters are right-handed while others are left-handed. There is not much that we can do to change this, so it is vital that you choose the right type of bow sight for your bow.
If you have a right handed bow, then it is also essential to choose a right handed bow sight for that matter.
The bow sights are wither left-handed, right-handed and some are both. Some bow sights will have a reversible attachment that will allow them to be used by both left and right-handed hunters.
Some of the bow pins will give you an option to choose from, while others only come in one orientation.
2. The types of pins available
Most of the bow sights in this article will represent horizontal pins that will either be 3, 5 or 7 pins in quantity.
a) The use of fiber optics
The pins are very fine which can make it very hard use when aiming. This is where fiber optics play a role. This type of material contains a substance that will glow in the dark.
They will either be red, green or yellow and are relying on sunlight to charge up. Sometimes there will not be any sunlight available, so this is where you will need a rheostat light that will take over where the sun is unavailable.
You will aim much better because of these illuminated pins, and you will also be able to identify with each one quickly. As mentioned before most of the pins will be aligned horizontally on top of each other.
b) Vertical pins
There are some cases where the pins will be aligned vertically. The Trophy Ridge Peak 5 is a bow sight that makes use of vertical pins. Vertical pins are especially useful because it is much easier to see if they are aligned.
With horizontal pins, you will need to make use of the water bubble which will warn you if your bow is not aligned.
c) The use of a dot sight
Some hunters prefer not to use pins of any sort and instead like to use a dot sight. This dot sight will represent a lens that has an illuminated dot in the middle. This lens will then make the use of a scope hosing for support.
What I liked about this version is that you will not be interfered with by other pins that might confuse you. Now your focus will be drawn to only one dot.
For long range shooting, this type is also better. When shooting long range, the target will be smaller which makes it harder to aim because of all the other pins.
With the single dot bow sight, this will not be a problem. If you are interested in a single dot bow sight, then I will recommend the Truglow Range Rover Pro.
3. Accuracy is also important
It is a shame that most people do not even look at this factor when considering to buy a new bow sight. You are probably wondering how a bow sight will influence accuracy.
This concept is straightforward.
The single factor that has the most influence over your accuracy is going to be the alignment of your scope towards that of your bow. If you want to shoot straight, then your bow needs to be aligned correctly.
Both horizontal and vertical alignment is essential to land that perfect shot. Most of the bow sights will come with a built-in water bubble that will help you to align the bow horizontally.
The problem with vertical alignment is that most hunters rely on the peep sight to align their bow vertically. The problem is that this method is not always 100% accurate.
Retina lock technology has a huge role to play in both vertical and horizontal alignment. This technology makes use of a small green water light that has a small black dot. Once the black dot is right in the middle of the green dot, then you know that your bow is aligned.
For more info on this technology, please take a look at the IQ Micro Bowsight.
4. You also need to sight in your bow
There are so many things that you need to take into consideration before releasing the arrow. Specific aspects such as distance, windage and also elevation are critical and can mean the difference between a perfect shot or one that has missed its target.
Fortunately, all of the scopes in this article come with adjustment knobs on the side that will help with that. Some bow sight will also have a vertical and horizontal scale that will enable some of the adjustments.
Most of the times, hunters will pick the first pin and adjust it so that it will be accurate at 20 yards. The second pin will then be set to 30 yards and the third to 40 yards, etc.
There are some hunters (like myself) that do not like this whole process of adjusting their pins. React technology has a prominent role to play in helping you adjust your pins correctly. With this technology, all you need to do is to fix your first and second pin to 20 and 30 yards.
After you have done this, the bow sight will then automatically adjust the rest of the pins within 10 yards increments. The bow that has this technology is going to be the Trophy Ridge React Pro 5.
#1 IQ Micro Bowsight (Top Pick)
Best For: For bowhunters that want to improve their accuracy.
If you are struggling with accuracy, then the IQ Micro Bowsight is for you. This bow sight makes use of retina lock technology which is a small green light on top of the ring. Once the black dot inside of this green light is in the middle, then you know your shot is aligned correctly.
This bow sight also has a water meter for horizontal alignment and also makes use of windage and elevation adjustments. You can also adjust each pin individually to personalize your sight further. You also have the option to choose between a left or right handed model and even between 3, 5 and 7 pins. This product is also going to be my top pick for the day.
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#2 Topoint Archery (Least Expensive)
Best For: Best for those that want a good quality 3-pin sight that is also very inexpensive.
For the hunter that wants to save money on compound bow sights, I would highly recommend this sight from Topoint Archery. This sight has 3 horizontal pins (one red and two green) that will be helpful for distance compensation. The framework of this sight is made from aluminum, and it also makes use of a water level. There are also markings that will allow you to adjust the sight for windage and elevation. You also have the option to choose between black, forest camo and pink camo. It is also adjustable for both left and right-handed shooters. This product is the perfect 3-pin bow sight for those getting started.
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#3 Trophy Ridge Volt
Best For: This product is best for bow hunters that want a 5-pin sight that is very inexpensive.
If you also want a sight that is very inexpensive, but you want a 5-pin instead of a 3-pin, then I would recommend the Trophy Ridge Volt sight. This sight has four green dot pins and also one red pin in the middle which are equal to five pins in total. The pins have a phosphorescent component that makes them easier to see in darker areas.
These pins will be charged via the sun or the installed rheostat light for when the sun is not available. There is also a water level that helps to keep your shots more consistent. You can also adjust the sight for windage and elevation. The sight also has a green accent ring that makes it easier to aim with a quicker acquisition. The mount is also reversible which will allow you to change for both right or left handed positions.
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#4 Truglow Range Rover Pro
Best For: For bowhunters that want center dot technology.
The Truglow Range Rover Pro is for hunters that would like to evolve their single pin experience to that of a single dot. What makes this sight so unique is that instead of using pins, it makes use of a scope hosing that features an illuminated green dot. This feature can come especially handy for those long range shots where the single pin might obstruct your view.
You also have the option to illuminate your sight with a built-in LED light further. This sight also has a “glow in the dark” shooters ring so you can aim faster at your target. You also have an adjustment dial that also has zeroing capabilities for distance adjustments. This product also has a quiver mount and is suitable for both right and left-handed shooters.
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#5 Trophy Ridge Joker
Best For: Best for hunters that want a 3 or 4-pin sight but also want to save money.
The Trophy Ridge Joker is very much the same as the Trophy Ridge Volt regarding the look and some minor features. The only significant difference is the Joker makes use of 3 or 4 pins instead of the five pin Volt. The pins are also illuminated and charged by the sun and also makes use of a rheostat light for when you cannot use the sun.
The bow sight also has a green accent ring for better sight acquisition. The mount is also reversible for both right and left-handed shooters. There will also be a water bubble that will help with horizontal alignment.
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#6 Trophy Ridge React Pro 5 (React Technology)
Best For: This product is best for bow hunters that do not want to waste much time by sighting in their bow.
If you hate to sight in your compound bow sight, then you will love the Trophy Ridge React Pro 5. With this sight, you only need to make 2 pin adjustments at 20 and 30 yards. The bow sight will then automatically sight you in at 40, 50 and 60 yards where it would predict where each pin gap will be. This feature makes it a breeze to sight in your bow. You can also make windage and elevation adjustments. You can also choose between pin sizes 0.010″ and 0.019″. The pins also use fiber optics for illumination. This bow sight also makes use of a rheostat light for when the sun is not available. You can also choose between a left or right handed model.
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#7 Trophy Ridge React Pro 7
Best For: This product is best for bow hunters that do not want to waste time sighting in their bows.
The Trophy Ridge React Pro 7 is very similar than the Trophy Ridge React Pro 5 regarding the features. The only significant difference is the number of pins. This version will have 7 pins that you can choose from while shooting. This product also has the react technology where you only need to adjust the first 2 pins for 20 and 30 yards.
After that, the sight will automatically change itself for the rest of the pins up to 60 yards. You will also be able to adjust and compensate for the windage and elevation. The tips of the pins are also made from fiber optics that illuminate the pins. The bow sight also has a water bubble that can help to level your bow horizontally.
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#8 Trophy Ridge Fix Series
Best For: This product is best for right-handed shooters that do not want to be overwhelmed by a ton of features.
The Trophy Ridge Fix Series is another great addition that you can have in your bowhunting arsenal. This bow sight has three sizing options to choose from which include the 3, 5 and 7-pin bow sight. Like all the other products, you can also adjust for windage and elevation. They made the tips of the pins out of fiber optic which glows in the dark to give you better illumination. This part of the scope also makes use of Rheostat light that will charge up the fiber optic pins when there is no sunlight. This product is also best used for right-handed shooters.
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#9 Trophy Ridge Peak 5 (Vertical Pins)
Best For: Best for those hunters that prefer vertical pin sight technology.
If you are into vertical pins instead of horizontal pins, then you will love the Trophy Ridge Peak sight. The pins of this bow sight are stacked vertically behind each other. This bow sight will also feature five pins that are stacked this way, which will make the bow sight even somewhat thicker. I liked this feature because if the pins are aligned, then it means that your bow is also aligned which will result in a straight shot.
A water bubble will also help you align your bow more horizontally. The tips of the pins also make use of fiber optics to illuminate the pins. A rheostat light will also help to charge the fiber optics when the sun is not close. You can also make windage and elevation adjustments. You also have the option to choose between a right or left handed version, but one model will not be suitable for both.
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Compound Bow Sights Comparison Table
Product Name | Pin Qty | Orientation | Price |
1. IQ Micro Bowsights (Top Pick) | 5 pin | Right | $$$ |
2. Topoint Archery (Least Expensive) | 3 pin | Left & Right | $ |
3. Trophy Ridge Volt | 5 pin | Left & Right | $ |
4. Truglow Range Rover Pro | Center dot | Left & Right | $$$ |
5. Trophy Ridge Joker | 4 pin | Left & Right | $ |
6. Trophy Ridge React Pro 5 (React Technology) | 5 pin | Right | $$$$ |
7. Trophy Ridge React Pro 7 | 7 pin | Right | $$$ |
8. Trophy Ridge Fix Series | 5 pin | Right | $$ |
9. Trophy Ridge Peak 5 (Vertical Pins) | 5 pin | Right | $$ |
Conclusion
As you may have noticed, it is not that hard to find the right compound bow sight. One thing is for sure. You cannot go wrong with any of the sights that I have mentioned in this article as all of them have other positive reviews as well.
Once you have the right sight, you will notice that your aiming overall shooting performance will also improve in landing you that trophy buck. Please visit our bow hunting accessories page to learn more about our other reviews.
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